Free Soundtracks - Eden Log and Martyrs by Seppeku Paradigm

It's been a pretty good week for free soundtracks. Hasn't it? What soundtracks? Oh...you haven't been following us on Twitter! Have you? Easily fixed here. So this free-music-news comes via our friends at Cinematical who got it via their friends at Twitch.

Alex and Willie Cortés form SEPPEKU PARADIGM and they've made two of their original scores available...completely free! EDEN LOG and MARTYRS aren't going to be everyone's cup o' tea, but hey...they're free...so check 'em, listen, and then decide.

Now, just to give you a general rundown, this is predominantly dark, disturbing, ambient stuff. If you're feeling particularly depressed or horrific, then this might fit the bill. There are a couple of vocal tracks between the two, but these films are sci-fi and horror flicks respectively...so let's be real here.

With that, I'll end by saying "Happy Free Music Thursday!" We'll see if we can't dig up some free stuff for next week...maybe for Friday? That sounds better, "Free Music Friday!"

(Pssst. Hey...someone tweet us some free and legal music for next Friday, please.)

You can download EDEN LOG here

You can download MARTYRS here

Composer David Buckley Scores From Paris with Love

Composer David Buckely (The Forbidden Kingdom) is fnishing up his score for the upcoming film, FROM PARIS WITH LOVE. The film is directed by Pierre Morel (Taken). This new film stars John Travolta and Jonathan-Rees-Myers. It is being produced by well-known director/producer, Luc Besson.

Certainly this score will have a different flavor to THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM, but, by the looks of the teaser trailer, could be some good, French, fun.

Two Twibes for Soundtrack Fans and Composers!

So you're into to Twitter. Are you? Well, how very-2008 of you. ;)

Just today, we launched two new groups...or TWIBES. As in "twitter tribes." You know? It simply an easy way to join Twitter groups based on the topics you are most interested in. Of course, we here at Tracksounds are happy and proud to have started two of the most important Twibes of all time:

Join the Soundtrack Twibe here

Join the Composer Twibe here


Come on now, let's shown the Twittersphere how to build up a musical Twibe. Join up today!

Oh...and you can still follow us on Twitter

The SoundCast: Episode #5: Andrew Skrabutenas (The Hunt for Gollum)

Episode #5: Intv. Andrew Skrabutenas (The Hunt for Gollum)
Recorded April 18, April 24, 2009
Published April 24, 2009


Episode Highlights

00:35 - Introduction
04:10 - New Releases
07:51 - The Soundcast Spotlight: Marius Masalar
11:42 - Interview: Andrew Skrabutenas
22:37 - Interview Preview: Paul Haslinger
25:38 - Close


Music Clips (Select musical clips contained in this podcast)

00:00: The Hung for Gollum: "Journeying"
03:42: The Escapist: "End Titles"
04:43: Assassins Creed: "City of Jerusalem"
06:01: Fast and Furious: "Memorial"
07:07: Heroes: "Title"
07:24: The Last House on the Left: "The House"
07:43: Lost World Returns: "Prologue"
08:13: Lost World Returns: "Spitfire Gameplay"
11:09: The Hunt for Gollum: "Journeying"
16:31: Fellowship of the Ring: "The Bridge of Khazad Dum"
18:24: The Hunt for Gollum: "Gollum"
19:59: The Hunt for Gollum: "Theme Suite"
22:20: X-Men Origins Wolverine (VG): "Gambit Fight"
24:35: X-Men Origins Wolverine (VG): "Menu"



Download this episode here

More episode information available at Tracksounds.com

Variety Spotlights Harry Gregson-Williams' Wolverine Sessions

While we were, sadly, not able to secure an interview with composer HARRY GREGSON-WILLIAMS regarding his next big release, X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, and give you some insight into what went into the scoring process, Variety has just posted an article which gives us a peak into one of the recording sessions for the film. If you've heard the sound clips from the score, perhaps you were surprised...as I was. How "pleasantly" or not remains to be seen. If you were expecting something a little rougher around the edges for Wolverine's story, stay tuned for what we have in store regarding PAUL HASLINGER's work for the video game tie-in.

Still, surprises and all, I think WOLVERINE will be an entertaining listen and I look forward to diving into it. In the meantime, check out Variety's brief glimpse behind the Wolverine recording session.


Check out the article here

Star Trek by Michael Giacchino: Autograph Session in Los Angeles

Varese Sarabande records, who will be releasing the original motion picture soundtrack for STAR TREK by MICHAEL GIACCHINO is having a special signature session:

May 5, 2009
Best Buy
West Hollywood CA (Store 393)
1015 N. La Brea Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90038


For more details check the official site here

Variety Spotlights Composers: Garry Schyman, Wataru Hokoyama, Inon Zur and Jason Graves

Once again Variety.com gives some love to the world of video game music. This time Jon Burlingame puts the spotlight on three names that have worked on recent, big name projects like: Bioshock, Afrika, Fallout 3 and Dead Space.

In the brief article, Steve Schnur (Worldwide exec of music/marketing for Electronic Arts) says, "I hear the term 'videogame composer' a lot. I reject that. Great composers are great composers and, musically speaking, the technology should not lead the way. We try to recognize true talent, whether young talent or established talent."

You can read the full article here

Wolfenstein Opening Cinematic with music by Bill Brown

Gametrailers recently posted the opening cinematic from the upcoming WOLFENSTEIN video game...and it's fantastic. The style of 3D animation is on par with FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN and THE FINAL FLIGHT OF THE OSIRIS from THE ANIMATRIX. I have to say I was very entertained by this cutscene. I've loved the WOLFENSTEIN franchise, ever since I finished CASTLE WOLFENSTEIN way back in the day. RETURN TO CASTLE WOLFENSTEIN scared the crap out of me...and I don't think I ever finished it, but had hours of fun in multiplayer. Now, WOLFENSTEIN is back...and it looks like it will be a triumphant return.

Of course, well remembered in RETURN TO CASTLE WOLFENSTEIN is the music of composer BILL BROWN and he's back to score this next-gen edition of WOLFENSTEIN. It will be great to hear his handiwork again!


So how is the game looking (and sounding) to you?

Under-Rated! Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within by Elliot Goldenthal

Going back to 2001, FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN was composer ELLIOT's last foray into this genre or any even remotely related (accept for S.W.A.T. perhaps)...and this to the detriment of film score fans everywhere. His work for this film continued his tendency toward the big, the bold and even the bodacious, but with balance. Goldenthal's epic work gave the groundbreaking 3D animated film a special gravitas that happens to translate into operatic-style listen on its own. Additionally, Lara Fabian's performance of the title track "The Dream Within" is equally mesmerizing and should have, at the very least, garnered an Oscar nomination.

With 2009's PUBLIC ENEMIES on his plate, it's likely the community will be uttering the name of "ELLIOT GOLDENTHAL" once again. Until it's release though, let's go back eight years and re-discover this fantastic and forceful effort.

Read the full review of FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN here

Poll: Which Summer Blockbuster Score are You Most Anticipating?

Fast and Furious (Soundtrack) by Brian Tyler - Review

Slower and Serious-er
Review by Christopher Coleman

Those crazy kids and their suped up cars are at it again. FAST AND FURIOUS is the fourth film of the box-office-dominating-franchise. Director Justin Lin, who directed THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT is back, along with stars Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster. It seems after three nitrous-laden films, there was still more high-speed-hi-jinx to bring to the big screen. Also returning to add his fuel to the fury is composer BRIAN TYLER. Tyler's score here is fraught with quick-tempoed, edgy, race/chase music again, but just as the storyline has matured some, the score also takes on more serious, dramatic ideas as well.

FAST AND FURIOUS, oddly enough is not a simple sequel, nor is it a prequel. It's actually a interquel, taking place between the events of the second (2 Fast 2 Furious) and third (Tokyo Drift) films. Many fans feel that this fourth episode returns the franchise to its roots; capitalizing on the elements that made the first film so successful. That belief is certainly evidenced by a record-setting, opening weekend box-office with over $70 million taken in. Regardless of the fandom and the money, critically-speaking, each successive Fast and Furious film received worse reviews than the one preceding it and such is the case here. FAST AND FURIOUS does bring back the most beloved characters of the series and certainly contains many of car-racing-and-chasing-thrills of its predecessors, but, at its heart, is a revenge tale. Unfortunately, the slightly-more-mature-storyline was comingled with slightly-less-mature-effects, reducing some of the key scenes, such as the tunnel races, to upscale video game footage. Perhaps its this unintended clash that has put the critics off. Still, with the advancing storyline centered around Diesel's character of Dominic, and being unaffected by the amount of effect shots or their final quality, BRIAN TYLER is given some new room to compose, giving FAST AND FURIOUS a distinguishing feel from the three before it.


Read the full review of FAST AND FURIOUS here

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (Soundtrack) by Stephen Endelman - Review

Score-yukan!
Review by Christopher Coleman

It has been a while since composer STEPHEN ENDELMAN has visited the action-genre, but he seems to be in a bit of an action-run at the moment. With last year's RED BELT and upcoming STREETS OF BLOOD, Endelman slides in his score for STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN LI. After the 1994 effort, STREET FIGHTER, starring the one and only Jean Claude Van Damme, I didn't think there'd be another attempt at movie-izing this classic game franchise...at least not in this generation. Yet Capcom decided to let Hollywood give it another whack. With their release of STREET FIGHTER IV for the Xbox 360 in February 2009, if there was going to be another release of a Street Fighter film, that time would be the time. Unfortunately, the video game was given a much better reception by critics and fans than this film. It was at least an interesting effort to focus on the backstory of Chun-Li as opposed to Ken or Ryu and to try to give the film some measure of real-worldliness as opposed to the cartoonish 1994 edition. It's not called THE LEGEND OF CHUN-LI for nothing, but in the process of learning about the popular female character, we also find out a bit about other famous STREET FIGHTER characters such as, the film's nemesis, Bison, his henchman, Balrog, and Vega. Perhaps 15 years later and a ton of lessons learned from unsuccessful game to film crossovers would make this attempt a marginal success at least. That was my hope, but alas, yet another game-to-film production falls into the pit of discard. However, we, lucky few, who dare to listen past the dialogue, might find some intriguing moments in the original score by STEPHEN ENDELMAN.


Read the full review of STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN-LI here

Dragonball Evolution (Soundtrack) by Brian Tyler - Review

I'm rather amazed that it took so long for the DRAGONBALL franchise to be made into a live action movie. I suppose the studios have had plenty to do pillaging the 60s and 70s for all their worth. While those decades are still being ransacked, Twentieth Century Fox decided to bring some 80s/90s nostalgia to the big screen as well. The genesis of DRAGONBALL goes all the way back to a simple, Japanese, manga-series of 1984, which has since evolved into a mega-franchise including: several animated series, trading card games, and video games. Actually, DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION is the second, live-action movie, but it's 1989 predecessor, DRAGONBALL: THE MAGIC BEGINS was a Taiwanese production that saw no theatrical release outside of China. Perhaps only the heartiest of DRAGONBALL fans even recall this film some 20 years later. Since the first glimpses of DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION hit the internet, it's safe to say that expectations, by mainstream audiences, were unsurprisingly low. Just as video-game-to-feature-film adaptations fall into the 80/20 failure rule, so it seems to be with manga/anime-to-feature-films. If the 1989 Dragonball film wasn't evidence enough , then we only need look to efforts like DETROIT METAL CITY, FIST OF THE NORTH STAR, or DEVILMAN as convincing additional evidence. Unfortunately, DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION doesn't manage to avoid a couple of the standard pitfalls of its predecessors such as: poor writing, second-rate production value, and the like, but it does turn up two surprises. The special effects are leagues ahead of what one might be expecting and BRIAN TYLER's heroic, symphonic score delivers some much needed emotional weight to the otherwise flimsy film.

Read the full review of Dragonball Evolution here

Monsters VS. Aliens (Soundtrack) by Henry Jackman - Review

Monsters Ball!
Review by Christopher Coleman

It's no secret that 3D animated films seem to be the box-office goldmine du jour. The major studios are cranking them our faster and more frequently with each passing year. The only problem is the vast majority fall flat on their three-dimensional faces...at least they do for some adults. Since the kiddies don't care about poor writing, lackluster voice acting, and copycat directing, putting animated kids, toys, animals, robots, monsters or aliens on the screen guarantees their attention long enough to at least ensure a ticket is purchased. It was thought that Dreamworks was a one-hit-wonder with SHREK (and I mean the first). That perception changed radically with last year's, KUNG FU PANDA, which remains my favorite animated film of 2008. So now Dreamworks, because of the great success of panda Po, you've given us the green light to elevate our expectations...and with those expectations our eyes turn to MONSTERS VS. ALIENS.

Let me say it fast and straight. MONSTERS VS. ALIENS is no KUNG FU PANDA, but doesn't completely fall into the destitution inhabited by the likes of MADAGASCAR, BEE MOVIE, or SHARK TALE. The film has a handful of decent comedic moments, eye-popping action sequences, and lovable monsters and when those ingredients aren't enough, the once-gimmicky-now-engaging-3D effects go a long way to making the film enjoyable as a whole. Take the 3D out of the equation and the film experience suffers significantly. Sadly, more often than not, a sub-par (if Pixar is "par") animated feature film means a sub-par original score. I don't know why this is, but it is. So is this case with HENRY JACKMAN's MONSTERS VS. ALIENS?


Read the full review

The SoundCast Episode 4: Intv. with Jermaine Stegall (Turbo) and Drasko Vucevic

Episode #4: Intv. Jermaine Stegall, Drasko Vucevic
Recorded March 30, April 7, 2009
Published April 8, 2009

Episode Highlights

00:00 - Introduction: "Countdown"
02:53 - New Releases
07:09 - Jermaine Stegall Intro
07:47 - Jermaine Stegall Interview
23:15 - Drasko Vucevic Intro
23:57 - Drasko Vucevic Interview
35:00 - Close

Music Clips (Select musical clips contained in this podcast)

00:00: Stand By For Action: "Thunderbirds Title"
02:13: Stand By For Action: "The Secret Serive Title"
04:14: Stand By For Action: "Space 1999 Title"
04:50: Alexandra: "Road"
05:04: Crank: High Volumen: "Kickin It"
06:41: Turbo: "Untitled Track"
13:39: Turbo: "Another Fight"
18:51: Turbo: "Chant Intro"
22:50: Drasko V. Remix: "This Beast" by Yoko
28:41: Freeballin': "Boss Battle 2"


Download this episode here

More episode information available at Tracksounds.com


Don't forget to vote in our latest poll, "What do you think of The SoundCast?"

Add Your Voice to The SoundCast! You've heard our voice...now let us hear yours!

Tutti-Tweet! Find and Follow Your Favorite Composers on Twitter

You're following your friends and family, professional athletes, entertainers and celebrities of all sorts, so why not your favorite composers from the world of movie, television and game music? Tracksounds is happy to provide you with this ever-growing list of composers, musicians, and other industry-folk for your following-pleasure! We've launched with a handful of composers today, but this is only the first wave. More to come soon!

If you have a Twitter account yourself, you can easily follow any of the composers listed. If you'd like your qualifying Twitter feed listed here, you can submit it to us, too.


So get to followin'!

Composer Steve Bramson scores Don McKay

AWARD-WINNING COMPOSER STEVEN BRAMSON

SCORES DON MCKAY

FILM PREMIERES AT TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL FRIDAY APRIL 24


(Hollywood, CA) Award-winning composer STEVEN BRAMSON scores the indie-thriller DON MCKAY, directed by Jake Goldberger. The film stars Thomas Haden Church and Elisabeth Shue. Bramson created a diverse score that sets the musical tone of the suspenseful love story. The score ranges from restrained, featuring a blend of acoustic and synthetic instruments often used in unconventional ways that highlight the mystery, to pulsating which accentuate the surprises that unfold. DON MCKAY premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival Friday, April 24 at 6:00pm at the BMCC Tribeca PACC. Other screenings: April 26 at 12:30pm at the AMC Village VII 3 and April 29 at 10:00pm at the AMC Village VII 2. DON MCKAY is the story of a high school janitor who leaves his hometown after a tragedy and returns 25 years later to rekindle a romance with his old flame, who is dying of cancer. This homecoming brings the janitor, Don McKay (Thomas Haden Church) more than he bargains.

Steve Bramson’s scoring accomplishments encompass orchestral and electronic work for film, television, concert as well as amusement rides. He scored weekly with a live orchestra over 200 episodes for the dramatic series JAG which ran for ten seasons. That relationship led to episodes of NCIS. Other projects include the critically acclaimed series YOUNG INDIANA JONES, THE NINE and JOURNEYMAN. He is well-versed outside of the realm of drama which is evident by his scores to the animated children’s film SCOOBY DOO ON ZOMBIE ISLAND and Disney’s TIGER CRUISE. Bramson’s diverse credits include, IN ENEMY HANDS and the musical SHIMMY. His classical training led to a commission by legendary trumpeter Jon Lewis to write a trumpet concerto for orchestra. Bramson also created the music for the ride Space Mountain at EuroDisney in Paris which he recorded with a 55-piece orchestra.

Steve Bramson accomplishments have been recognized with an Emmy Award for “Outstanding Music Direction and Composition” for TINY TOON ADVENTURES, two Emmy nominations for his work on JAG and multiple ASCAP awards

You can visit Steve Bramson's official site here

Composer Bear McCreary Scores Capcom's Dark Void

Composer BEAR MCCREARY of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA and TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNORS CHRONICLES has scored Capcom's upcoming title, DARK VOID. In this video, he briefly shares about his approach to scoring this video game and how it differs from his previous works from which he has gained notoriety.